Coach Vahid Halilhodzic surprised by including uncapped French-born Mahrez after he helped Leicester City to promotion to the Premier League and recalled forward Rafik Djebbour, after his move to Nottingham Forest in January.

“I only found out about Mahrez in February and went to watch a few of his matches. He’s an interesting player,” Halilhodzic told a news conference at the Algerian Football Federation training centre on Monday.

Of Djebbour, who joined Forest from Greece, he added: “His form has improved tremendously in recent times and he’s an important player for the spirit of the squad.”

Striker Ishak Belfodil of Italian club Livorno is the only major surprise of those left out. Disciplinary problems have marked his brief international career, which began last August in a friendly against Guinea.

Algeria will take on Belgium, Russia and South Korea in Group H at the Brazil finals which start next month.